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Optimal sizing of solar water heating system based on genetic algorithm for
aquaculture system

Article  in  Mathematical and Computer Modelling · August 2010

DOI: 10.1016/j.mcm.2011.10.022

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 Proceedings of the 14th International Middle East Power Systems Conference (MEPCON’10), Cairo University, Egypt, December 19-21, 2010, Paper ID 244.
Optimal Sizing of Solar Water Heating System Based on
Genetic Algorithm for Aquaculture System
Doaa M. Atia1, Faten H. Fahmy1, Ninet M. Ahmed1, and Hassen T. Dorrah2
1
Electronics Research Institute, National Research Center Building, Cairo, Egypt
2
Faculty of Engineering, Department of Electrical Power and Machines, Cairo University
Abstract- The most wide spread thermal use of solar energy, has
been for water heating system, which have been commercialized
in many countries in the world. This paper presents a model of a
forced circulation solar water heating system for supplying a hot
water at a required temperature for an aquaculture system. The
main component of the system is flat plate collector, storage tank,
and auxiliary heater. The optimization problem is carried out
using genetic algorithm, which is one of the modern optimization
techniques because of their evolutionary nature it can handle any
kind of objective function and constraints. Genetic algorithm
don't have mathematical requirements about the optimization
problem, also it is very effective at performing a global search (in
probability), and provide a great flexibility. The optimal design
of flat plate collector area using genetic algorithm are used to
optimize the objective function considering the constraints
required for the system. As the genetic algorithm is a discrete
optimization tool the number of variables in principle is free of
choice. The economic analysis of such system is evaluated with
the life cycle cost method. The collector area is equal to 63 m2, at
this value the solar fraction reached to 98%which is very high
value. Also sensitivity analysis to solar radiation variation, air
temperature variation, and interest rate has been carried out.
I. INTRODUCTION
Proper design of solar water heating system is important to
assure maximum benefit to the user, especially for a large
system. Designing a solar hot water system involves
appropriate sizing of different components based on predicted
solar insolation and hot water demand [1]. All nations of the
world depend on fossil fuels for their energy needs. However,
the obligation to reduce CO2 and other gaseous emissions, in
order to be in conformity with the Kyoto agreement is the
reason behind which countries turn to non-polluting renewable
energy sources [2]. An important issue in solar thermal system
for industrial applications is the optimal sizing of the system
i.e., appropriate sizing of the collectors, storage and heat
exchanger [3].In recent years, some optimization methods that
are conceptually different from the traditional mathematical
programming techniques have been developed. These methods
are labeled as modern or nontraditional methods of
optimization. Most of these methods are based on certain
characteristics and behavior of biological, molecular, swarm
of insects, and neurobiological systems. Many practical
optimum design problems are characterized by mixed
continuous– discrete variables, and discontinuous and no
590
convex design spaces. Genetic algorithms (Gas) are well
suited for solving such problems, and in most cases they can
find the global optimum solution with a high probability.
Although GA was first presented systematically by Holland,
the basic ideas of analysis and design based on the concepts of
biological evolution. Genetic algorithms are based on the
principles of natural genetics and natural selection. The basic
elements of natural genetics-reproduction, crossover, and
mutation-are used in the genetic search procedure [4]. This
paper presents the optimal sizing of solar thermal hot water
system for an aquaculture system using genetic algorithm.
Also sensitivity analysis is carried out.
II. MATHEMATICAL MODEL OF SOLAR THERMAL SYSTEM
Schematic diagram of a solar water heating system is shown
in Fig. 1. A typical solar water heating system consists of a
solar collector array connected to an insulated storage tank.
Solar energy incident on the collectors is carried to the storage
tank by circulating water through the collector tubes. The
storage meets thermal demand of the load by supplying hot
water. Cold water is supplied to the tank as soon as hot water
from the tank is withdrawn to meet the load requirement. This
arrangement ensures that the storage tank is always full. A
biogas heater is used as auxiliary heater with a bypass is
placed in series with the storage in load supply line (Fig. 1) to
meet temperature requirement of the load. Storage tank
temperature is an important parameter which influences the
system size and performance. Energy balance of a well mixed
storage tank can be expressed as [1]
dT s
ρ Vs cp = q c − q l − q stl (1)
dt
Where ρ water density (Kg/m3), Vs is is storage tank volume
(m3), Ts is storage tank temperature (oC), Cp is specific heat of
water (4190 J/Kg oC), qc is actual useful energy gain, ql is load
energy, and qstl is storage tank losses.
A. Flat Plate Collector Modeling
Solar useful heat gain rate (qc) from the collector array is
calculated by
q c = F R A [ατ G − U l (Ti − T a )]
+
(2)
 dependent on several factors such as hot water consumption
Auxiliary
rate, cold water inlet and desired hot water set temperatures,
heater location and orientation of the system.
Hot water to
load A. Modeling of Aquaculture Pond
Storage A numerical model based on energy balance was developed
to simulate the thermal behavior of the open-pond system.
tank
Heat losses occur mainly by evaporation, convection and
Collectors radiation. Calculation of these losses can be based on
simplified equations that are generally applicable to water
bodies [6]. Heat gains are achieved by means of incident solar
radiation and flat plate collectors. Heat exchange by
Water supply conduction with the ground is normally so small as to be
Solar pump negligible. We assumed uniform temperature for the entire
pond, although we know that there are some temperature
Fig. 1 Schematic of a solar water heating system. differences through depth, and thus applied a well-mixed
model [6].

Where qc represents actual useful energy gain (W), FR the B. Evaporation Losses
collector heat removal factor, G intensity of solar radiation, in The evaporation heat loss is the largest loss component and
(W/m2), A collector surface area (m2), (ατ) is the is given
transmittance absorptance product, Ul is collector overall heat
transfer coefficient (W/m2oC), Ta is the ambient temperature
[ ]
Q e = A Pa 35V + 43 (T p − T a ) 3 (w p − w a )
1
(5)

(oC), and Ti is the initial temperature. Where + sign indicates

Where Qe is the evaporation loss (W), V is the wind speed in
that only positive values of qc is considered in the analysis.
(m/s) in the vicinity of the pond, Pa the ambient air pressure
This implies that hot water from the collector enters the tank
(101.3 k Pa). TP is the pond temperature, Ta is the ambient
only when solar useful heat gain becomes positive [1].
temperature, ωP is the saturation humidity ratio at the pond
The collector heat removal factor, FR, is the ratio of the
temperature, ωa is the humidity ratio of the ambient air above
actual useful energy gain of a collector to the maximum
the pond, A is the area of the pond [6, 7].
possible useful gain if the whole collector surface were at the
fluid inlet temperature. It is defined as [5]
C. Convection Losses
m .c p ⎡ ⎛ AU l F ' ⎞⎟ ⎤ (3) Heat losses due to convection to the ambient air can be
FR = ⎢ 1 − exp ⎜⎜ − ⎥
AU l ⎢⎣ ⎝ m . c p ⎟⎠ ⎥⎦ expressed as [6, 7]
T p − Ta (6)
Q c = Q × 0 . 0006
e
Where m. is mass flow rate (Kg/s), Cp is specific heat of water w p − w a

(4190 J/Kg oC).

The overall heat loss from a solar collector consists of top D. The Net Radiation Losses
heat loss through cover systems, back heat loss, and edge heat Results from the surface of the pond to the sky which can be
loss which are heat loss through back and edge insulation of expressed as [6, 7]:
the collector. With the assumption that all the losses are based [
Q r = ε σ A (T p + 273 ) − T s 4
4
] (7)
on a common mean plate temperature Tpm, the overall heat loss
from the collector can be represented as
Where Qr is the radiation loss, ε is the emissivity of the
U l =U t +U b + U e (4) surface, σ is the Stefan-Boltzmann constant, TS is the sky
temperature in degrees Kelvin, Tp is the pond temperature.
Where Ul is the collector overall loss coefficient.Where the
subscripts t, b, and e represent for the top, back, and edge E. Solar Radiation Heat Gain
contribution, respectively. The value of FR and Ul used in Heat gain due to the absorption of solar radiation by the
calculation are calculated in a detailed program using Matlab pond is given by [6, 7]
software, their values are 0.6646, and 10.76 W/m2oC Q s = α AG (8)
respectively.
III. LOAD PROFILE
Where α is pond absorptance (0.9).
In solar heating system design, it is necessary to estimate the
long-term (annual and/or monthly) average heating loads. The F. Calculation of Pond Heating Load
water heating load or the amount of energy required to warm
water from the inlet cold water to a desired temperature is

591
 The pond heating load is the total heat losses by the three
mechanisms described above less any heat gain from incident
solar radiation.
Ql = Qe + Qc + Qr − Qs (9)
1000

Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 represent the three losses component and

800
solar gain in summer and winter respectively. The evaporation

s olar irradianc e (W /m 2)
loss represents the largest component of pond losses followed
by the convection losses and finally the radiation losses. As 600

the air temperature decrease the losses of the pond increase.

The solar gain follows the solar radiation variation in the 400
desired location. Fig. 3 shows the load profile of aquaculture
system to keep pond temperature at the desired temperature. 200
The energy required is inversely proportional to air
temperature.
0
0 5 10 15 20 25
IV. METROLOGICAL DATA Time (h)

Fig. 4 Solar irradiance

To get optimum design of solar thermal system, it is
important to collect meteorological data (solar irradiance and 35
air temperature) for the site under consideration. Fig. 4 and
Fig. 5 show the daily solar radiation and ambient temperature 30
for Mersa Matruh respectively. These data which used are a
practical data obtained [8]. 25

a ir t e m p e ra t u re (c )
20

x 10
9
15
6
Convection loss
Evaporation loss 10
5 Radiation loss
Solar gain 5
4
lo ss & gain (J/d ay)

0
3
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (h)
2
Fig. 5 Air temperature.
1

V. CONVENTIONAL SIZING USING HEURISTIC APPROACH

0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Time (h) The mass flow rate of hot water circulating in the collector
heating system can be calculated from the heat load equation.
Fig. 2 The solar gain and losses of the pond The heat load equation is represented by
during the summer. Q l = 500 m . Δ T (10)

9
Where Ql is heat load (BTU/hr), m is water mass flow rate
6
x 10
(gpm), ΔT is water temperature difference in oF. The mass
Solar gain
Evaporation loss
flow rate of hot water circulating in the collector heating
5 Radiation loss system can be calculated from the heat load equation its value
Convection loss
is 15gpm from the technical data of the solar collector tables,
4 the collector corresponding area is 59m2.
loss & gain (J/day)

3 VI. OPTIMAL SIZING USING GENETIC ALGORITHM

2 The optimization technique with genetic algorithm is used to

find mainly the optimal size of flat plate collector and
1
auxiliary heater based on minimum cost of the system. A life-
cycle analysis is performed in order to obtain the total cost (or
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24
Time (h)

Fig. 3 The solar gain and losses of the pond

592
during the winter.
life-cycle cost). The period of economic analysis is taken as 20
years (i.e., life of the system), whereas the auxiliary heater has
been sized to satisfy the whole load without solar radiation.
GAs differs from the traditional methods of optimization in
the following respects:
1. A population of points (trial design vectors) is used
for starting the procedure instead of a single design
point.
2. GA uses only the values of the objective function.
The derivatives are not used in the search procedure.
3. In GA the design variables are represented as strings
of binary variables that correspond to the
chromosomes in natural genetics. Thus the search
method is naturally applicable for solving discrete
and integer programming problems. For continuous
design variables, the string length can be varied to
achieve any desired resolution.
4. The objective function value corresponding to a
design vector plays the role of fitness in natural
genetics.
5. In every new generation, a new set of strings is
produced by using randomized parents selection and
crossover from the old generation (old set of strings)
[4].
The solar cost represents by the annualized life cycle cost
method is as below:
C s = CI + CM & O + CR − CS (11)
CI = CF + C a A (12)
Where Cs is the solar system cost, CI is initial system cost,
CM&O represents cost of maintenance and operation equal to
2% of initial value, CR represents replacement cost, CS is
salvage value equal to 20% of initial cost, where CF is the
collector area independent cost (4000$) and Ca is the collector
area dependent cost (333$/m2) [9, 10]. The auxiliary system
cost is given by [11]
C aux = I + F + V (13)
Where I is initial cost equal to 450$/KW, F is fixed cost has
the value of 2.7% of initial cost, and V variable cost equal to
1.2 $/MWh. Total system cost is
TC = Cs + Caux (14)
To convert to annualized value of money two factors have
been used which are capital recovery factor (crf) and sinking
fund deposit factor (sdfd) respectively [9]
i (15)
crf =
1 + (1 + i )
− n
i rate variation on cost, as interset rate incease the system cost
sdfd = (16)
(1 + i )n −1
A. Problem Description and Sizing Procedures
593
The flowchart of genetic procedure which is used in sizing
calculation is depicted in Fig.6. The economic minimization
model is as below:
Minimize
n
LCC = ∑ CIi + CRi + CMOi − CSi
i =1
(17)
The system constraint is the energy balance which must be
satisfied during the year. The energy balance insures
continuity for feeding the load demands along the year.
The constraint model is as follows:
Subject to
Load demand ≥
(18)
Energy of solar thermal + Energy of auxiliary heater
VII. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Fig. 7 shows the fitness function against the number of
generations during the running of the genetic algorithm
program. The genetic algorithm parameters used in the present
work are as follows, Population size (=20). Crossover rate
(=80%). Crossover rate determines the probability that the
crossover operator will be applied to a particular chromosome
during a generation. The program give the area of flat plate
collector is equal to 63 m2, at this area the solar fraction is
equal to 98% which satisfy the load. The aquaculture system
has two operating seasons during the year (summer and
winter). The solar fraction, f, is defined as the ratio of the
useful solar energy supplied to the system to the energy
needed to heat the water if no solar energy is used. In other
words, f is a measure of the fractional energy savings relative
to that used for an auxiliary system. Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show the
variation of solar fraction with different collector areas and
solar radiation in summer and winter respectivily. As collector
area increase solar fraction increase but it depends on system
cost. The average value of solar fraction in summer is higher
than in winter due to high value of solar radiation in summer.
For a 63 m2 collector is able to supply 90–99% of the hot
water demand from May to September.
Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 present the variation of air temperature
effect on solar fraction in summer and winter respectively.
January has the minimum value of solar fraction due to the
low values of air tempeature and solar radiation over the
winter season. The value of solar fraction in winter is in range
of 44.9% - 92.8%, and in summer is 68.1% - 99%.
The senstivity analysis are carreied out by varying the input
parameters (solar radiation, air temperature, and interest rate).
Fig. 12 and Fig. 13 present the solar radiation variation over
the year on cost function. In winter season the auxiliary heater
give more energy to heat water to the desired temperature so
the variation of cost are increase depends on the value of
auxiliary heater energy. Table I shows the effect of interest
incease. In Egypt the value of interest rate equal to
(=11.6%.)system cost variation at different areas of collector
in summer and winter respectivily.
 100
Start area=10 m2
90
area=20m2
80
area=30m2
Initial generation of system 70
sizing area=40m2

Solar fraction (%)

60
area=50m2
50 area=60m2
40 area=63m2
Yes Meet load Load input solar radiation and
30
demand air temperature
20

10
No
0
Generate sequence of new April May June July Aug Sept
population Months

Fig.8 Solar fraction variation with solar radiation in summer.

Calculate cost
function

Crossover and mutation

strategy 100
area=10m2
Complete 90
area=20m2
sizing
80 area=30m2
70 area=40m2
Yes Solar fraction (%)
60 area=50m2
Calculate minimum No
area=60m2
system cost 50
area=63m2
40

30
Export optimal sizing
20

10

0
End
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar
Months
Fig.6 The flow chart of genetic algorithm.

Fig.9 Solar fraction variation with solar radiation in winter.

9
Best: 4293279.1478 Mean: 4332757.1725
10
100

Best fitness 90
area=10m2
area=20m2
8 Mean fitness 80 area=30m2
10
70 area=40m2
area=50m2
F it n e s s v a lu e

Solar fraction (%)

60
area=60m2
7 50 area=63m2
10
40

30
6
10 20

10

0
5 April May Jun Jul Aug Sept
10 Month
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40
Generation
Fig.10 Solar fraction variation with air temperature in
Fig.7 the best and mean values of the fitness function at summer.

each generation.
594
 TABLE.I
CostVariation with Interest Rate
100
area=10m2
90 Interest rate (%) Cost
area=20m2 (103$)
80
area=30m2 5 2.6012
Solar fraction (%)

70
area=40m2
60 8 3.3821
area=50m2
50 10 3.9336
area=60m2
40
area=63m2
12 4.3522
30
20 15 5.3284
10
20 6.6868
0

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar

Month VIII. CONCLUSION

Fig.11 Solar fraction variation with air temperature in winter. Optimum sizing of system components is important in
design a large solar thermal water heating system. In this
paper a design of a solar thermal water heating system for
supplying an aquaculture system with the required hot water
demand was presented. A methodology of sizing solar thermal
6
area=10m2 water heating system using genetic algorithm is proposed.
area=20m2
Genetic algorithm has been suggested in order to determine
5.5 area=30m2
area=40m2
the optimal sizing of solar thermal system according to
area=50m2 minimize the objective function considering the different
5
constraints and give the optimal area of flat plate collector.
System cost (*10^3) ($)

area=60m2
area=63m2
The collector area is equal to 63 m2, at this value the solar
4.5
fraction reached to 98%which is very high value. The solar
radiation has obvious effect on the solar fraction and system
4 cost specially when collector area increase. The senstivity
analysis are carreied out by varying the input parameters (solar
3.5 radiation, air temperature, and interest rate).

3 REFERENCES
April May June July Aug Sept
Months [1] Govind N. Kulkarni, Shireesh B. Kedare, Santanu Bandyopadhyay,
"Determination of design space and optimization of solar water heating
systems," Solar Energy, Vol. 81, PP. 958–968, 2007.
Fig.12 System cost variation with different collector areas in summer. [2] Soteris Kalogirou, "Thermal performance, economic and environmental
life cycle analysis of thermosiphon solar water heaters," Solar Energy,
Vol. 83, PP. 39–48, 2009.
6.5
[3] Govind N. Kulkarni, Shireesh B. Kedare, Santanu Bandyopadhyay,
area=10m2 "Design of solar thermal systems utilizing pressurized hot water storage
6 area=20m2 for industrial applications," Solar Energy, Vol. 82, PP. 686–699, 2008.
area=30m2 [4] Singiresu S. Rao, Engineering Optimization, Theory and Practice,
5.5 area=40m2 Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, Canada,
System cost*10^3 ($)

area=50m2 2009.
5 area=60m2
[5] M. Bojic, S. Kalogirou, K. Petronijevic, "Simulation of a solar domestic
water heating system using a time marching model," Renewable Energy,
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[10] Jasbir Arora, Introduction to Optimum Design, second ed. Academic
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Fig.13 System cost variation with different collector areas in winter. [11] J. Parrilla1and W. Fichtner, "The impact of transportation costs on the
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